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Selah School District board adopts 2026–27 budget after staffing reductions and enrollment forecast
Summary
The Selah School District board voted to adopt the 2026–27 general fund budget, approving a $67.7 million revenue plan against roughly $68.5 million in expenditures and endorsing $3 million in reductions (27.2 positions) achieved through attrition; the budget carries a projected $732,000 deficit largely covered by fund balance and a $300,000 decision to continue subsidizing high-school meals.
The Selah School District Board of Directors unanimously voted to adopt the 2026–27 general fund budget during a special meeting that also included student exit presentations and routine business.
Board staff presented a budget that projects $67.7 million in revenues and roughly $68.5 million in expenditures, leaving a planned net deficit of $732,000 and an estimated ending fund balance of $8.9 million, or about 13% of the budget. Chris, the districts associate superintendent for district operations, told the board: “we project 67.7 million in revenues for next year and 68 ... showing a net deficit for the year of $732,000.”
Why it matters: the budget responds to an ongoing enrollment decline and rising costs. Staff said the district expects to lose 109 student full-time equivalents in 2026–27 and projected a cumulative loss of 225 FTE through 2029–30, which reduces state apportionment revenue. Stephanie, who led the finance portion of the presentation, summarized cost pressures: rising MSOC (materials, supplies and operating costs), higher substitute and contracted-specialist costs for special education, and a salary gap between what state formulas fund and what the district pays.
Reductions and program choices: the board adopted a package of budget reductions totaling roughly $3 million, described by staff as 27.2 positions eliminated through attrition (11 certificated positions, 2.2 administrators and approximately 13 classified positions). Staff emphasized that no layoffs were issued and reductions were accomplished by not refilling positions. The presentation also noted the district will continue to use food-service carryover funds to subsidize no-cost meals at the high school for one more year; staff identified that $300,000 of the projected deficit is attributable to that decision.
Levy and longer-range outlook: staff reminded the board that the district levy expires in 2027 and explained that levy passage affects local effort assistance (LEA) and tax rates; staff warned that losing the levy would remove roughly $3 million in LEA and $6 million in levy revenue. A four-year forecast presented to trustees showed increasing projected deficits in later years if enrollment continues to decline; staff said additional reductions will likely be required in future budget cycles.
Board action and next steps: after public hearing formalities and questions from trustees, the board voted to adopt Resolution 2026-14 to approve the 2026–27 budget. The vote was called in open session and recorded as in favor with no recorded oppositions or abstentions. District staff said the adopted documents, the full budget book and a citizens guide will be published on the district website.
The district plans ongoing monitoring of enrollment, fund balance and cash flow and will bring further proposals to the board if additional reductions or reallocations are needed.
